Reformed Forum

Reformed Forum

Reformed Forum supports the church in presenting every person mature in Christ (Colossians 1:28) by providing Reformed theological resources to pastors, scholars, and anyone who desires to grow in their understanding of Scripture and the theology that faithfully summarizes its teachings.

  1. 3 DAYS AGO

    Vos Group #108 — Kingdom and Church (The Finale)

    In this concluding installment of Vos Group's extended journey through Geerhardus Vos's Biblical Theology: Old and New Testaments, Camden Bucey and Lane Tipton reflect on one of the most significant themes in Vos's account of redemptive history: the relationship between the kingdom of God and the church. Focusing especially on Matthew 16 and Jesus's promise, "I will build my church," they explain that Christ is not introducing an unrelated people, but bringing the covenant people of God into a new, eschatological mode of existence through his death, resurrection, ascension, and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. The church is not a mere institutional add-on to the kingdom. Rather, in its inaugurated form, the church is the kingdom of God as constituted by the Spirit of the ascended Christ. The episode also explores the church's indestructible life, the meaning of the "gates of hell," the centrality of the means of grace, and the already/not-yet character of the kingdom's coming. Along the way, Camden and Lane also mark the end of this long-running series on Biblical Theology and preview the next phase of Vos Group on The Teaching of Jesus concerning the Kingdom of God and the Church. Chapters 00:00:08 Introduction and Vos Group finale 00:01:06 Save the date for the 1,000th episode celebration 00:07:23 Transition from Biblical Theology to The Teaching of Jesus concerning the Kingdom of God and the Church 00:09:01 Matthew 16 and the meaning of "my church" 00:12:14 Continuity and redemptive-historical newness in the church 00:15:28 Pentecost, Acts 2, and the constitution of the church 00:21:56 The church after Christ's ascension and the new mode of life in the Spirit 00:29:23 The indestructible life of the kingdom and the gates of hell 00:35:29 The means of grace, preaching, and the keys of the kingdom 00:36:52 The nearness of the kingdom and inaugurated eschatology 00:42:10 The church is not merely instrumental to some higher kingdom purpose 00:49:20 The church as the kingdom of God in inaugurated form 00:53:20 Pilgrim identity and longing for consummation 00:56:42 Closing reflections and upcoming resources Participants: Camden Bucey, Lane Tipton

    58 min
  2. 24 APR

    The Theology and Theologians of Scotland (w/Donald John MacLean)

    In this episode of Christ the Center, we welcome Donald John MacLean, President of Westminster Seminary UK and trustee of the Banner of Truth Trust, for a rich conversation on James Walker's The Theology and Theologians of Scotland. Their discussion begins with an update on Westminster Seminary UK's move to Oxford and the remarkable ministry of the Reformed Colloquium in Budapest, where confessional Reformed believers from across Europe gather for fellowship, encouragement, and theological exchange. The heart of the episode focuses on Banner of Truth's newly expanded edition of Walker's classic work. MacLean explains why the book has served for decades as an indispensable guide to the Scottish theological tradition, opening up figures beyond the better-known names and tracing major themes in church history, ecclesiology, providence, the atonement, and church-state relations. Together, Camden and Donald John reflect on the historical setting of Scottish theology, the value of Walker's new footnotes and translations, and the abiding importance of visible church unity and Christ's headship over his church. Watch on YouTube Chapters 0:00 Introduction and episode overview 0:32 Donald John MacLean and the new Banner edition 2:25 Westminster Seminary UK and the Reformed Colloquium 10:17 Westminster Seminary UK's move to Oxford 16:07 James Walker and The Theology and Theologians of Scotland 19:01 The Cunningham Lectures and Walker's publication history 22:29 Why the new edition adds notes, biography, and sermons 26:20 Why Scottish theology still matters 27:42 Struggle, exile, and the international character of Scottish theology 29:29 Patristic influence and later shifts in Scottish scholarship 33:31 Providence, concurrence, and difficult doctrinal questions 37:26 The atonement, divine justice, and theological diversity in Scotland 40:06 The Marrow Controversy and covenant theology 43:54 Visible church unity and Scottish ecclesiology 51:14 Christ's headship, Erastianism, and church-state relations 55:16 Further reading in Scottish theology 57:40 Closing remarks Resources Mentioned The Theology and Theologians of Scotland, James Walker (Banner of Truth) Westminster Seminary UK The Whole Christ, Sinclair B. Ferguson Scottish Theology, John Macleod A Scottish Christian Heritage, Ian Murray The Fifty Years' Struggle of the Scottish Covenanters, James Dodds Participants: Camden Bucey, Donald John MacLean

    58 min
  3. 17 APR

    Why Pastors Need Deep Theology and Real Friendship

    Pastoral ministry requires more than competence, productivity, or weekly sermon preparation. It requires deep theological roots and the kind of real friendship that helps a man endure, grow, and remain faithful over time. In this conversation, Camden Bucey is joined by Derrick Brite and Sean Morris to explore why theological formation and pastoral brotherhood are essential for long-term ministry health. Together, they reflect on the value of places like Twin Lakes Fellowship, the dangers of pastoral isolation, and the way meaningful friendships can provide encouragement, accountability, and spiritual strength. They also make the case that deep theology is not a luxury for academics or large churches, but a necessity for faithful ministry in every context. This episode is a reminder that pastors are not meant to serve alone, and that rich doctrine and honest friendship are two of God's ordinary means for sustaining those called to shepherd his people. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Twin Lakes recap 02:55 Pastors Scholars Fellowship and last year's experiment 04:15 Chicago food banter—deep dish, beef, and regional cuisine 10:54 Why pastors need deep theology and real friendship 12:10 Reformed Forum updates, conference news, and the 1000th episode summit 18:03 Sean Morris on discovering Twin Lakes Fellowship 21:55 Derrick Brite on how Twin Lakes shaped his ministry path 25:01 What's at stake when pastors become isolated 36:19 Ministry networking vs. real pastoral friendship 41:57 How pastoral friendships bless wives and families too 45:06 Theology, friendship, and sharpening one another in ministry 55:36 Why deep theology matters in rural and small-church contexts 1:08:46 Theology, worship, and why doctrine leads to doxology 1:09:48 Larger for Life, listener feedback, and closing remarks This is Christ the Center episode 955 (https://www.reformedforum.org/ctc955)

    1hr 14min

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Reformed Forum supports the church in presenting every person mature in Christ (Colossians 1:28) by providing Reformed theological resources to pastors, scholars, and anyone who desires to grow in their understanding of Scripture and the theology that faithfully summarizes its teachings.

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